Your back pain wasn't terrible at first. Just a twinge here and there after long days on your feet. But months turned into years, and now even getting out of bed feels like a monumental task. Your doctor's diagnosis of degenerative disc disease explains the constant ache, but you're wondering if this condition qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
Our Massachusetts SSDI lawyers have spent over 17 years helping residents with degenerative disc disease secure the disability benefits they deserve. We understand how this condition affects every aspect of your life and work exclusively with disability cases to get you the monthly income and health coverage you need.
Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease and Social Security Disability
Degenerative disc disease occurs when the cushioning discs between your vertebrae break down over time. While Social Security doesn't maintain a specific Blue Book listing for this condition alone, many clients with degenerative disc disease successfully obtain SSDI benefits when their symptoms severely limit their ability to work.
The condition affects everyone differently. Some people experience manageable discomfort, while others face debilitating pain that makes even simple tasks impossible. Social Security evaluates each case based on medical evidence and functional limitations rather than just the diagnosis itself.
Blue Book Listings and Residual Functional Capacity
Your degenerative disc disease claim may qualify under several Blue Book listings depending on your specific symptoms. Listing 1.15 covers disorders of the skeletal spine, while Listing 1.16 addresses lumbar spinal stenosis.
When your condition doesn't meet these exact requirements, Social Security conducts a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment to determine what work activities you can still perform. The RFC evaluation considers factors like your ability to lift, carry, sit, stand, walk, bend, and concentrate. Chronic pain from degenerative disc disease can significantly impact all these areas, particularly when combined with other conditions.
Real Case Results: Degenerative Disc Disease With Related Conditions
Our experience with degenerative disc disease cases shows that many clients develop secondary conditions that strengthen their disability claims. These combined conditions often create more severe limitations than either condition alone.
Arthritis and Degenerative Disc Disease
We recently represented a client with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease who received a fully favorable decision at the Lawrence, Massachusetts Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
This client's medical records showed extensive degenerative changes in his lumbar spine, including prominent osteophyte spurring and disc protrusion. His bilateral ankle arthritis caused additional complications.
The administrative law judge found that our client could only sit for four hours and stand or walk for less than two hours during an eight-hour workday. His condition required frequent unscheduled breaks and position changes. The judge determined he would be off task for more than 20% of the workday, making competitive employment impossible.
Multiple surgeries on his bilateral knees and extensive physical therapy failed to provide adequate relief. His treating physicians documented constant pain, reduced range of motion, and functional limitations that prevented him from returning to his previous work in construction and demolition.
Degenerative Disc Disease and Depression
Another client we represented suffered from degenerative disc disease combined with depression, degenerative joint disease, and knee problems. She received a fully favorable decision at the Boston ODAR after demonstrating how her conditions worked together to create total disability.
Her treating physician documented that chronic pain from her back and knee conditions contributed to her depression. The combination created a cycle where physical pain worsened her mental health, while depression made it harder to cope with physical limitations. She could only sit for 20 minutes at a time and required frequent unscheduled breaks every 15 minutes.
The judge found she had marked difficulties maintaining concentration and persistence due to her combined conditions. Her depression symptoms included hearing voices and suicidal ideation, requiring psychiatric hospitalization. The physical limitations from her degenerative disc disease prevented her from lifting any weight or doing any stooping or crouching.
Coronary Artery Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease
We also helped a former law enforcement officer with both coronary artery disease and degenerative disc disease obtain benefits. His case demonstrates how multiple conditions can compound to create total disability even when each condition alone might not qualify.
This client worked in law enforcement and security for 30 years despite three serious back injuries. His active lifestyle contributed to progressive degenerative changes in his spine. By the time he stopped working, he could only stand or sit for 15 minutes before experiencing severe pain. His coronary artery disease caused additional fatigue and shortness of breath that made physical activity even more difficult.
His orthopedist determined he wasn't a candidate for fusion surgery or other surgical interventions. After exhausting all treatment options, including physical therapy, medication, and nerve procedures, he had no choice but to stop working. The administrative law judge recognized that his combined conditions prevented any work in the national economy.
The SSDI Application Process and Required Medical Evidence
Success in degenerative disc disease SSDI claims depends heavily on thorough medical documentation. Your medical records should clearly show the progression of your condition and its impact on your daily activities.
Diagnostic imaging, like MRI scans and X-rays, provides objective evidence of disc degeneration, while reports from treating physicians document your functional limitations.
We work closely with your doctors to obtain detailed opinions about your work capacity. These reports should specify how long you can sit, stand, walk, lift, and carry. They should also address how pain affects your concentration and ability to maintain regular attendance at work.
The key to winning your case lies in demonstrating that your degenerative disc disease prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity for at least 12 months. Whether through meeting a Blue Book listing or proving your RFC doesn't allow competitive employment, we build compelling cases that show Social Security exactly how your condition affects your ability to work.
